Getting Around City of Chicago
Chicago's Transportation: Trains, Taxis, Buses and Free Trolleys
Get around the City of Chicago by taking advantage of the low cost public transportation system. There are several ways to get around Chicago. Metra trains and CTA buses offer low cost transport. Taxi service is a quick and efficient option. The City of Chicago free trolley system operates during the summer months and holiday season.
The City of Chicago is a great destination that attracts people from around the world. Travelers marvel at the sights and attractions of the Windy City. Like any big city, Chicago can be difficult to navigate by car. Parking spaces can be costly in the parking lots and parking ramps around the city. The Chicago Free Trolley helps to make a visit to the City of Chicago more enjoyable and less expensive.
Public Transportation in the City of Chicago
City officials advise visitors to leave the car at home and use the public transportation in Chicago. The mass transit system alleviates the burden of traffic on the streets and traffic congestion. The rising gas prices make public transportation the smart option. Visitors who bring their cars into the city often find that parking fees are higher than expected.
Metra Train Transportation to Chicago
The Metra Train travels to the City from the outlying areas and the suburbs of Chicago. Metra runs on a regular schedule of stops several times a day. The best buy in transportation may be the Metra weekend pass. Adults can ride the Metra all weekend long for a one time ticket fee of $5. Up to three children under 12 can travel for free when accompanied by a fare paying adult. The weekend pass is good for Saturday and Sunday. Weekend passes can be purchased from the ticket agent at the train station. If the ticket agent window is closed, purchase the ticket on the train from the conductor. If the ticket window is open, but the visitor elects to buy from the conductor, a surcharge is added to the ticket price.
Free Trolley in Chicago
Free is about as good as it gets. The free trolley runs all summer long, seven days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm. During the popular Taste of Chicago Summer Festival the service hours are extended to 10 am to 7 pm.
The free trolley service stops at most of the city's top attractions. The free trolley runs form Memorial Day through Labor Day. The trolleys operate daily between 10 am and 6 pm. Trolley stops are every 20 to 30 minutes.
Travel by free trolley to the most popular destinations in Chicago. Here are the stops on each line.
- Red Circle: Metra LaSalle Street Station, Metra Union Station, Metra Ogilvie, Macy's and Millennium Park, Boulevard Towers/Illinois Center, Tribune Tower, Water Tower Park, Nordstrom North Bridge, Cultural Center, Office Depot and Millennium Park, Palmer House. This special free trolley runs during the summer and the holiday season.
- Yellow Star: Metra LaSalle Street Station, Metra Union Station, Metra Ogilvie, Macy's and Millennium Park, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Navy Pier Headlands, Behind Hyatt at 233 N. Michigan Avenue, Office Depot and Millennium Park, Palmer House. This special free trolley runs during the summer and holiday season.
- Green Triangle: Metra LaSalle Street Station, Metra Union Station, Metra Ogilvie, Macy's and Millennium Park, Art Institute and Millennium Park, Spertus Museum, CTA Orange/Green, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, CTA Orange/Green, Grant Park, Art Institute and Millennium Park. This special trolley runs during the summer and holidays.
- Brown Trolley LIne Stops Lincoln Park Shuttle: Notebaert Nature Museum, LIncoln Park Zoo, Chicago History Museum, Chicago History Museum Parking Garage, CTA Brown Line Armitage Avenue, CTA Brown/Red Line Fullerton Avenue, Children's Memorial Hospital Garage, Lincoln Park Hospital Garage, Wells Street Burton Place, Wels Street at Lincoln Avenue and Orchard Street at Armitage Avenue. Operates only weekends and holidays.
- Blue Square: Grand/State CTA subway station to Navy Pier with stops along the Illinois/Grand corridor. This trolley runs all year long.
The free trolley is a popular method of getting around in Chicago. There may be a line of people waiting to get on the trolley. There are four trolley routes running in a circuit and stops at designated stops. People can get on and off at the stops at will. If the correct stop is passed, just stay on the trolley and the stop will be reached again as it rounds the circuit. There is no charge to use this popular tourist friendly transportation.
Most of the trolleys run during the summer months and during the Christmas holiday season. The Navy Pier free trolley operates daily, year around.
Water Taxi
During the summer months a water taxi travels between Navy Pier and the Museum Campus. Another water taxi operates between Navy Pier and the Loop via the Chicago River. The views from the water give a unique perspective of the skyscrapers along the water taxi route, making the water taxi ride an enjoyable experience. Shoreline Sightseeing operates the 42 seat water taxi boats. Tickets for the Water Taxi can be purchased at the boat stops or from the ticket booth at Navy Pier on the lake front.
Chicago City Bus
The CTA, Chicago Transit Authority, has bus service offering transportation around the city. Information about bus routes can e found at the CTA Transit web site or at by calling 1-312-836-7000.
Chicago Taxis
Hail a taxi cab. Taxis can be hailed from the curb. There are usually taxi stations in front of major attractions. Look for a line of cabs or for a line of people looking for cabs. A taxi ride within the downtown Loop will run between $5 and $10. Taxi trips to outlying areas will cost more. If concerned, ask the taxi driver about fees before getting into the cab.
Enjoy the many attractions of Chicago. Take advantage of the free and low cost public transportation options in the Windy City.
Information is subject to change.
For Chicago Travel Tips, see Ten Tips for Tourists Visiting the Windy City
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